16 Karachi cops killed in 18 days

KARACHI - Two more cops were gunned down in the city on Sunday as the death toll of police reaches 16 in just 18 days of the current year.The two policemen of Nazimabad police station were targeted in Nazimabad.Deceased policemen, Abdul Ghaffor and Muhammad Farooq were deployed to guard Masjid-o-Imambargah Noor-e-Eemaan located at Nazimabad No 3. Both cops after finishing duties were leaving the Imambargah when they were targeted. Witnesses said that gunmen riding a motorbike seemed highly trained who not give time to retaliate and fled after the killing. Both policemen were shot multiple times who died on spot. Their bodies were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsies. Both policemen were posted to the same police station since ten years. Their bodies were sent to their hometowns Faisalabad and Mansehra.An officer said that the police have collected empty shells used in the killings for forensics. However, the police was in the process of making sketches with the help of witness accounts. No case has been registered till the filing of this news story. Top cops of the city have also announced compensation money for families of the victims.This was the second major incident in a couple of days as earlier on Saturday evening, two policemen were shot dead when armed gangsters attacked a police post in Lyari’s Baghdadi area and one traffic officer was shot dead in Malir locality by armed motorcyclists. With these killings, a total of 16 policemen have so far lost their lives in different parts of Karachi including Lyari, Federal B Industrial Area, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Baldia Town, Malir and Orangi. Adding to that two Rangers personnel were killed during an encounter with militants in the Landhi locality. Police officials, however, have failed to arrest culprits behind killings of the policemen in Karachi , particularly those killed in the current year. The policemen suspect members of banned militant outfits behind the targeted killings of the police. Following latest killings police conducted a search operation in Nazimabad but could not be fruitful.10-year-old, doctor among 3 killed : Three including a doctor and a10 years old boy were shot dead in separate incidents here on Sunday.A diabetes specialist, 55-year-old Dr Farooq Ahmed Shaikh was shot dead in an act of target killing in Gulberg. The incident took place near the office of District Central SSP and DIG. The deceased was on his way home located in Gulberg Block 13. Dr Farooq used to run his clinic located in the same area for the last fifteen year (Diabetic and Health Care Centre). Witnesses said that the gunmen clad in white colored Shalwar Kameez and other in jeans. Security guards had retaliated but assailants managed to escape. The victim was shot thrice in his chest, head and neck. He was shifted to a nearby hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. Following frequent killings of doctors, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has warned to shut down hospitals and clinics in the city. We avoid protesting and creating problem for the people but we are no other option, said PMA’s senior leader Qaiser Sajjad. He said that two in the current year while 17 doctors have been killed during the previous year while the government is sleeping.A bakery owner was shot dead in an act of target killing in Nazimabad. Deceased was identified as Rehan, 42. The incident took place when unidentified armed men riding a motorcycle targeted him when he was sitting in his bakery. He was shot multiple times and died shortly after. His body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsy. Police officials said that deceased also associated with a religious organisation belonging to the Barelvi school of thought and might have been killed apparently over sectarian basis while further investigations are underway. Separately, ten-year-old Hanif, who was wounded in a firing incident in Gulshan-e-Bunair area of Landhi within the limits of Quaidabad police station on Saturday succumbed to his injuries during treatment at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre on Sunday. Police officials said that Hanif was standing near his home when unidentified persons opened fire which wounded the child. The police said that that two other people, namely Khan Gul and Khan Mehsud were also wounded in the incident and are under treatment.